Mumsnet Talk

I've always done snowboarding since I first went, mainly because that's what my, then boyfriend, now DH did at the time. I am reasonably competent (red runs ok and don't do any tricks or snowparks or anything) but now that we have the DC (3 and 6) going with us I am wondering if it would be easier if one of us skiied? Just in terms of helping them on and off lifts, getting them to follow etc.

I am worried about going back to the beginning and falling over a lot though. Am thinking it might not be as bad as learning to snowboard? I'm also thinking that if I don't learn now am I going to be a 50 or 60 year old boarder? :-)

Any advice appreciated!

I started on skis as a teenager.
I then swapped to a snowboard when I was 22 and haven't been on skis since.

I too plan to ski when we go to the mountains with our DCs. I don't expect them to be able to snowboard until they're quite a bit bigger, but they can start to ski now. It will definitely be easier to help them and teach them when I'm on skis like they are.

I don't actually think you'll have a huge problem learning the basics of skiing.
Personally, I found it easier in the beginning than snowboarding. Your feet aren't tied together and you're travelling forwards instead of sideways. I did't spend my entire time falling over like I did when I first started boarding.

Take a lesson or two and you should be fine.
How about going to an artificial slope in the UK first to try it out?

I boarded first, then went onto skis. Easy peasy...you'll just have loads of bad habits but great clothes

I am just back from a ski holiday with my 6 yo, we both ski. I have tried boarding but found it harder as was not used to falling at all on skis. When I've done boarding, it's been to keep up (or down) with friends who are beginners or because the package is cheaper.

This year I went on the t-bar with my DS and also a chairlift. TBH I found the whole chairlift thing with him a bit scary as he seemed so small, I preferred letting him go up with his ski school. He can do the t-bar on his own so if I was on a board (not that I can manage any tow/chair with that ) he could go on his own.

Last year for his first proper ski holiday, he was mostly on the nursery slopes with a rope tow and when he went up the big mountain it was by gondola.

You might find that learning alongside the DC means you would be on the same slopes as them rather than getting bored hanging round the nursery slopes to pick them up or watch them.

Me. I swapped from boarding to skiing about 6 years ago and haven't looked back. First week I had private lessons every morning for 2 hours but in the afternoons was going down blue runs ok. I think it's easier to pick up than boarding. Plus it's easier to pole along flatter bits!

I've boarded for a few years and would go down anything including blacks.

I am a ski instructor and have taught loads of people to ski who were previously boarders.

It's fundamentally a different sport, you have to learn to use your muscles very differently BUT you already will have good balance and an understanding of how things slide on snow. So once you're over the initial bit you should learn quickly.

As for falling over, you fall over far less learning to ski than snowboard, essentially because you haven't tied your legs together.

Being able to do both is great and well worth it, and skis are a lot easier to move around on to help other people out.

Gosh, fairly unanimous then!

Think I will give it a go with lessons and see how I get on. DH will be devastated though!

Thanks all.

And the thought of not having to go over flat bits on a board is very appealing!

I started on skis, then switched to a board and never looked back.
However, I have always kept my ski boots - for the same thought as you - with little kids learning and playing it may be easier to be on skis. However the minute they start to get good and don't need picking up all the time I'll be back on my trusty board!
Please come back after your trip and let us know how it worked out...

My DH and I were boarders, back in the day... then along came kids and the reality of trying to get a small child up a drag lift whilst on a snowboard hit us. Just too hard/dangerous (mainly for the child but also us!).

So we took up skiing again (we had done 1 week prior to starting boarding). It's very different - resorts tend to be geared towards skiers (esp european resorts) - flat bits, drag lifts etc and actually it is great fun, although i do miss my board (but i was a much better boarder than i am a skier so maybe that would explain it).

I would recomend going on a 'learn to ski in a day' course at an indoor slope (they do them at tamworth i am sure they do them elsewhere) or at the local dry ski slope. You won't fall over anything like as much as you did when boarding (that's why a lot more boarders wear helmets) and as others have said, you already understand about edges and moving on snow so will pick it up quite easily (my sister did when she decided she wasn't boarding anymore).

I would consider both of you learning to ski- unless 1 of you is taking a kid up a lift on a board. and going to lift up a child who has fallen over and crossed their skis (which happens a lot) - because kids assume you are 'solid' and will just climb up/cling on to you when they fall over.

I cannot imagine anyone boarding and taking little ones out skiing (unless the kids are already competent).

You will enjoy it, good luck!

Thanks greygirl. I'm not so worried about hubby, he's an ace boarder (skied when he was young) and he took DS up last year without any problems in the afternoons. Probably helps that DS is a daredevil and already fairly competent!

Was supposed to be getting lovely new Thirtytwo boots for my birthday. May rethink and invest in lessons instead!

I admire your husband's guts! and i sympathise about the new boots. I am still in my old boarderwear and I keep begging for skiboots but when we fly we already have too much stuff to lug about and a bag of boots would just be one extra thing to make the flight more hellish. This yeart we are going to drive to the alps and so we may take our boards etc with us - an dhave some fun while kids are in skischool.

The nice thing about skiing with your kids though is that you can demonstrate what you want them to do 'big pizza slices remember' and it is SO much easier getting off lifts.
when we ski with the kids one of us takes point and one is sweeper. once the kids dtart to know the route they can lead, but a sweeper is very important!

where are you going? do you need any tips on other aspects of kid skiing? my main ones are: pack them a little bit of chocolate every day to munch on while they wait for you to collect them from their lesson
for emergencies, take big bags (ikea ones are very good) for lugging skis/helmets/boots round in and 2 pairs of gloves and salopettes each if you can manage it.

Oh and stopping for a hot chocolate is obligitory.

Have fun - my 3 loved it last year and are already fizzing about going again!

I started on skis then switched to boarding while living up in the mountains. I'm now back on skis and prefer it, especially with a little one. My newest skis are super fat and sassy - trumps the board on any run.

oops, posted too soon - meant to add that the learning curve from board to skis seems easier than the other way around. Good luck!

massistar, so glad you started this thread, this year will be my dd1's first time on skis and I've been wondering if I should give skiing another shot (tried it for three days then switched to a board many years ago) for the same reasons.

Think I'll definitely go for it next year, thanks for all the tips & advice everyone

I keep thinking about learning to ski. I'd like to be able to do both but I will never ditch my board.

Ooh. The boarders are coming out to play now! Given that my youngest at 3 will only be pottering around this year we will be pretty much taking turns each which is ok seeing as we are going with friends with kids the same age as ours.

Sooooo ... was in Cardiff shopping yesterday and picked up my gorgeous new Thirtytwo boots

Dammit the sensible skiing option can wait another year!

We are going to Samoens in France for the second time so we're fairly au fait with the routine. They have a fab kids play area with sledging so taking turns is fine.

Love the tip about the Ikea bag though, that's a great idea for all the bits and bobs. No buggy or nappies this year so a bit less to transport I'm hoping!

Which 32's did you get? I've got the Velas from about 4 seasons ago. I like them

Got the 86 FTs snowmummy. They are like putting on a pair of sneakers! Lovely!

I've always snowboarded. We took our ds's when they were just 5 & 3 on their first ski hol. One was in the snowgarden learning the basics, the other DS was in ski school. Every year after that they carried on with the ESF ski levels and had their books stamped. Last year oldest DS was 9 and very competent on skis. (needed slowing down!) so decided it was time to give snowboarding a try. He loved it, was in a group with 1 french boy similar age and about 5 /6 adults. By day 3 all the adults had dropped out and the 2 boys went on to cover 2 stages in 1 week. Highlight was waiting on the final day at meeting point and watching DS 1 coming down the front black with the instructor on a board. Needless to say DS2 who is now 8 will also be in snowboard school this year. All done without a pair of adult skis insight! We have always been back to the same resort for the DC, as we believe it boosts their confidence as they are familiar with the slopes.

Which resort do you go to Sixer? I'm always on the look out for ones that are good for the kids.

We go to Montgenevre. It's a short transfer from Turin (1hr30 by car). The french have it down as one of their child friendly resorts.

Ah ok thanks. That's not too far from where we go.

Where do you go SM?